The Best MPEG-2 Decoders

[skye3000]

I would like to start this thread for people to share there experience with video cards and software mpeg-2 decoders. I have seen many posts where people ask what is the best decoder.

My first test machine involved a Sapphire Radeon 7000 pci video card using cyberlink sp video decoder. the quality was sub-par for my standards. by that I mean there was a bit of pixelation and relics in the video playback on my TV.

My second test machine used a MSI GeForce FX 5600 AGP video card. I downloaded a trial version of nVidia's PureVideo decoder. this decoder gave me quite a bit more control of my video decoding. with this video card and decoder the picture quality was better than anything else I have tried.

This is not saying that purevideo is the best decoder. I want to share with others what I have learned and hopefully start a good disccussion about what others have used as well.

[nemulate]

I think picture quality has a lot to do with your graphics card/decoder combination. I'm using ATI card with Intervideo decoders and while good the colours can be blocky sometimes but this is probably more a fault of mpeg2 and s-vhs output on a old 28" tvt though!

[-stattik-]

I use Descaler 5 with a 55 inch RPTV(NTSC) and it looks great.

[capone]

This is going to be subjective, and you're always just better off trying as many as you can use (and getting rid of those you don't so you don't have too many loading or possibly getting used when they shouldn't).

There's also another level to this, and that's how well it works on your system (load, conflicts, errors, glitches, etc). More important than looking good is working well. Great video is nothing is you can't enjoy it.

I get the best results from nVidia, but can't use it to it's fullest in all situations. Intervideo works great for me, and maybe not the best, it plays the nicest w/ everything w/ the least amount of grief.

[nemulate]

Yes good point about working well although if not working well then expect picture will be rubbish anyway! I know its very subjective and some people don't like answering the question but it's just interesting to see what works with what for people!

[Currahee!]

I'm using the NVIDIA purevideo 30 day trial MPEG-2 decoder, and for some reason, I don't get any sound / audio when playing DVDs thru GBPVR.

I DO get sound / audio when watching live / recorded TV, playing music, FM Radio, Net Radio, etc....

If I play the DVDs through Win Media Player, or VideoLAN VLC I DO have sound. Any ideas what might be causing this? Could anyone suggest a better or more compatible decoder?

I don't want to pay for a decoder that doesn't fully function w/ GBPVR.

[McBainUK]

Have you checked your settings on both tabs in the config app. There is one for 'Playback' and another for 'DVD'.

[Currahee!]

Have you checked your settings on both tabs in the config app. There is one for 'Playback' and another for 'DVD'.

Yes I have. The settings for both the "Playback" and "DVD and Remote" tabs are identical, yet I get sound for TV, but not for DVD. Any ideas?

Here are some screenshots of my config settings.

[McBainUK]

Have you tried the other audio settings on the dvd tab? Maybe try "system default".

All I can suggest is to browse through the nvida settings. Look for things relating to dvd playback. Does nvidea have a support forum?

Also search on the forums for graphedit. Sometimes what codecs you set in to use in gbpvr don't actually get used by windows.